LE/02/04

2808 3861
2577 4901 11 October, 1999
All Registered Lift Contractors/Engineers

Dear Sir,
Circular No. 18/99
Code of Practice on the Design and Construction
of Lifts and Escalators (1993 Edition)
Amendment No. 10

Pursuant to section 27G of the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance, Cap.
327, the Code of Practice on the Design and Construction of Lifts and Escalators (1993
Edition) (the Code) has been amended by adding new requirements on stairlifts for persons
with a disability.

The above changes have been included in the Amendment No. 10 of the Code
which is attached for your retention. It shall come into operation on 1 November 1999 and
shall be applicable to stairlifts tendered on or after that date.

Please indicate the use (for public or private) and mode of operation (self or
attendant) of the stairlift in the test report when submitting the certificate on examination and
testing of lift upon completion of the installation (Form 5).

Yours faithfully,

(LAW Yu-wing)
for Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services

c.c. AD/BS
D of Housing (Attn.: TS/2)
D of Building (Attn.: CBS/Legislation)
D of FS (Attn.: Fire Protection Command)
Commissioner for Rehabilitation
(Attn.: Mr. M. C. KAN, Secretary of SCART of Rehabilitation Advisory Committee)
Hong Kong Union of Lift & Escalator Employees

LE/02/25 Pt. II
WKH/GMWC/LYW
 Code of Practice
on the Design and Construction of
Lifts and Escalators
(1993 Edition)

AMENDMENT No. 10
Stairlifts
(Effective as from 1 November 1999 and
applicable to stairlifts tendered on or after that date)

Item Clause Description

1 Section A Replace “divided into four parts” in the 3rd paragraph by “divided into
Clause 1 five parts”.

Add the following after the 7th paragraph:-

“ Part 5 deals with stairlifts.”

2 Section B Add the following publication after o):-

“ oA) BS5776 Specification for powered stairlifts”

3 Section C Add the following definitions in alphabetical order:-

“ Attendant -operated Stairlift

A stairlift which is designed for use by the passenger with the

assistance of an attendant.

Back-up Nut

An internally threaded annular component, used in conjunction with

a screw and nut drive, so arranged that it does not normally carry the
load but is capable of doing so in the event of failure of the threads in
the main driving nut.

Carriage

That whole moving part of a stairlift designed to carry a passenger or

a passenger in a wheelchair.

Driving Nut

An internally threaded annular component that acts in conjunction

with a driving screw to produce linear motion of the carriage of a
stairlift, i.e. a rotating screw engaging with a fixed nut, or vice versa.

-a-
Driving Screw

An externally threaded driving component that acts in conjunction

with a driving nut.

Footrest

A platform or bracket designed for a stairlift so that the passenger is

able to stand or to rest his/her feet upon it in complete safety either
during movement of the stairlift or when it comes to rest. It is
sometimes referred to as foot-supporting platform.

Journey

Movement of a stairlift between any two levels which incorporates

one start and one stop.

Rail

Metal formed into a section, or arranged to guide and retain the

carriage of a stairlift during its motion in the course of its travel over
the stairway.

Ramp

A structure or structural member providing an inclined surface

connecting one level with another.

Self-operation

The mode of operation that a stairlift is designed for the passenger to

use independently without the help of an attendant.

Sensitive Edge

A safety device attached to any edge to obviate a hazard.

Sensitive Surface

A safety device similar in effect to a sensitive edge but so arranged to

protect a whole surface such as the underside of a platform or other
large area.

Stairlift

A kind of lift for transporting an ambulant disabled person or person

in a wheelchair between two or more levels by means of a guided

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 carriage/platform moving substantially in the direction of a flight of
stairs and travelling in the same path in both upward and downward
directions.

Stairway

Any part of a building that provides a route to travel and is formed

either by a single flight of stairs or by a combination of two or more
flights of stairs and one or more intervening landings. ”

4 Add “ Section E Part 5: Specification for Stairlifts ” as follows

-c-
 Section E Part 5

Section E

Part 5 : Specification for Stairlifts

Contents

1. Design

1.1 Pattern of Use

1.2 Protection against Hazards

1.3 Design Features

1.4 Maintenance, Repair and Inspection

2. Stairway

2.1 General Provisions

2.2 Angle of Inclination

2.3 Clear Height above Platform

3. General Safety Factor

4. Rails

5. Rated Speed and Rated Load

6. Requirements for Drive

6.1 General Provisions

6.2 Drive Units

6.2.1 General Construction Details

6.2.2 Gearing
6.2.3 Braking
6.2.4 Emergency Operation
6.2.5 Alignment

6.3 Suspension Rope, Drum Drive and Pulleys

6.3.1 Suspension Rope

6.3.2 Winding Drum
6.3.3 Pulleys and Diverter Pulleys

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 Section E Part 5

6.3.4 Angle of Fleet

6.3.5 Protection and Guarding

6.4 Rack and Pinion Drive

6.4.1 Driving Pinion

6.4.2 Racks
6.4.3 Guarding

6.5 Chain and Chainwheel Drive

6.5.1 Chainwheels
6.5.2 Chains
6.5.3 Protection and Guarding

6.6 Screw and Nut Drive

6.6.1 Screw
6.6.2 Nut
6.6.3 Screw/Nut Assembly
6.6.4 Guarding

7. Carriage

7.1 General Provisions

7.1.1 Construction
7.1.2 Load Plate
7.1.3 Nameplate

7.2 Safety

7.2.1 Safety Gear

7.2.2 Overspeed Governor
7.2.3 Rotation Monitor
7.2.4 Back-up Nut

7.3 Chair Carriage

7.4 Standing Platform

7.5 Wheelchair Platform

7.6 Special Adaptations

8. Lighting and Emergency Lighting

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 Section E Part 5

9. Electrical Equipment

9.1 General Provisions

9.2 Suppression of Radio and Television Interference

9.3 Control System Design Concept

9.4 Emergency Alarm Devices

9.5 Safety of Electrical Circuits

9.6 Final Limit Safety Switches

9.7 Construction

9.8 Residual Current Devices

9.9 Trailing Cables

10. Battery Powered Operation

11. Self-operation

12. Attendant -operated Stairlift

13. User Guide and Operation Manual

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 1

1. Design

1.1 Pattern of Use

The design of the stairlift shall take account of the use to which it will be
subjected and the maximum number of journe ys per hour and per day. Motor and
gearbox thermal time ratings shall be not less than 25%. In addition, the gearbox
wear rating shall ensure a minimum life of 100,000 starts and 2,500 hours at full
load.

The design shall also involve the determination of any limitations of the
passenger’s ability to manoeuvre with respect to the position relative to the
landing floors, and manoeuvring space on the landings.

1.2 Protection against Hazards

Protection shall be incorporated in the stairlift to minimize all of the following

hazards:

(a) shearing, crushing, trapping or abrading;

(b) falling;
(c) physical shock;
(d) electric shock;
(e) fire, attributable to use of the stairlift.

1.3 Design Features

1.3.1 All components shall be designed to take account of all static and dynamic loads
and forces.

Components shall be of sound mechanical and electrical construction using

materials that are free from obvious defect. The dimensions specified in this
standard shall be maintained despite wear. The transmission of noise and vibration
to any surrounding walls and other supporting structures shall be minimized.

1.3.2 Plastics components shall be of flame retardant, self-extinguishing grade material.

The stairlift shall not be made of materials likely to become dangerous through
flammability or through the nature and quantity of gas and fumes they may
generate if ignited.

1.4 Maintenance, Repair and Inspection

The stairlift shall be designed, constructed and installed in such a manner that any
maintenance, repair, major alteration, replacement, examination, testing and
inspection can be carried out safely and without difficulty.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 2

2. Stairway

2.1 General Provisions

2.1.1 The following shall not be permitted along the stairway where a stairlift is
installed:

(a) Doors, shutters and windows (or their furniture) that present a hazard when
open;

(b) Pipes conveying steam, gas or liquid which, if discharged into the stairway,
would endanger life or health.

2.1.2 The positions of landings shall be at such locations that passengers can get on and
off the stairlift safely and easily.

2.1.3 The stairlift shall be accessible along the stairway at all times and in all
circumstances.

2.2 Angle of Inclination

No stairlift shall be installed to operate on an inclination greater than 45o as

measured on the mean.

2.3 Clear Height above Platform

The clear height above the platform of the stairlift (the footrest in case of chair
carriage stairlift (see Clause 7.3)) shall be not less than 2 m along its whole
journey.

3. General Safety Factor

Unless stated otherwise, the safety factor for all parts of the equipment shall be
not less than 3.

4. Rails

4.1 Rails shall be used to retain and guide the carriage, which supports the chair,
platform or other purpose- made adaptation for the passenger throughout its travel,
whether the travel is horizontal or inclined, straight or curved. Any deflection of
the rails or their fixings shall be limited so that no discomfort or danger to the
passenger results. They shall have a safety factor of not less than 5 based on the
rated load.

4.2 The rails, their attachments and joints shall withstand, without permanent
deformation, the maximum forces likely to be imposed during normal usage of the
stairlift and also the additional forces imposed by operation of the safety gear.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 5

4.3 The rails shall be fitted with end stops.

4.4 The supporting rails shall be securely fixed to the stairs or stairway wall and the
fixings shall withstand any of the forces specified in Clause 4.2.

4.5 Folding rail sections shall not obstruct the stairway or landing when folded.

4.6 Manually operated folding rail sections shall be counter-balanced.

4.7 A safety switch shall be fitted to prevent operation of the stairlift except when the
folded rail section is in the operating position. The switch shall be actuated as
soon as the rail joint is opened and shall remain so when the folding rail section is
other than in the operating position.

4.8 A warning label, in English and Chinese in letters and characters of height not less
than 10 mm as shown below, shall be fitted adjacent to the hinged section of rail.

WARNING
KEEP HANDS CLEAR OF HINGE
AT ALL TIMES

警告
不論何時
切勿觸及鉸鏈

4.9 If the folding rail is operated by a motorized drive, the control circuits shall be
energized by a voltage of less than 55 V and the motor and control circuits shall
be electrically protected. The control system shall operate from constant pressure
push buttons, but motorized drives shall be capable of manual operation. The
drive to the hinged mechanism shall be protected to prevent damage to the
mechanism should it encounter an obstruction (e.g. protection by a slipping clutch,
overload detector or motor torque limiter).

5. Rated Speed and Rated Load

5.1 The rated speed of the stairlift shall not exceed 0.15 m/s when measured at the
reference points shown in figure 1, at any point of travel (including travel around
a curved section of rail).

5.2 For chair carriage (see Clause 7.3) or standing platform (see Clause 7.4) stairlift,
which is designed for a capacity of one person, the rated load shall be not less than
115 kg.

For wheelchair platform (see Clause 7.5) stairlift, which is designed for a capacity
of one person in a wheelchair, the minimum rated load shall be as follows:

Public use Private use

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 6

(see Clause 7.5.1)

Power-driven Manual wheelchair
wheelchair
Net platform area Net platform area
225 kg > 0.84 m2 ≤ 0.84 m2
225 kg
205 kg 150 kg

6. Requirements for Drive

6.1 General Provisions

The selected drive shall be in accordance with Clauses 6.2 to 6.6 as appropriate, or
shall provide an equivalent level of safety.

6.2 Drive Units

6.2.1 General Construction Details

All types of drive shall be capable of being powered in both directions.

6.2.2 Gearing

The safety factor used in the design of geared drive units shall be based on the
static loads imposed by the fully laden carriage on the driving mechanism and
shall be not less than 6.

All shouldered shafts shall be provided with fillets.

Unless forming an integral part of its shaft or driving unit every sheave, rope drum,
spur gear, worm and worm-wheel, winding drum, pinion, driving chainwheel or
brake drum shall be fixed to its shaft or other driving unit by one of the following
methods:

(a) sunk keys;

(b) splines;
(c) any other means that provides an equivalent level of safety.

Worm gearing having cast iron teeth shall not be used in the driving unit. Friction
gearing mechanisms (i.e. drives depending on friction between the surfaces of
adjacent pulleys or friction clutches) shall not be used for connecting the main
driving unit to the drum, pinion, chainwheel, nut or other final output component.
All gearing shall be fully guarded by imperforate material. Gearing on curved rail
stairlifts shall be guarded as far as practicable.

If chain or toothed belt drives are employed, a device incorporating a safety

switch shall be provided to break the power supply to the motor and brake control

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 6

circuits if either the chain or the toothed belt breaks or slackens by a

predetermined amount.

6.2.3 Braking

The drive unit shall be provided with a brake capable of bringing the carriage
smoothly to rest within a distance of 20 mm and holding it firmly in position
under maximum load conditions. This brake shall be applied mechanically and
held off electrically. The brake shall operate through positive gearing to stop the
final output shaft.

Brake linings shall be of asbestos-free material that do not support combustion

and shall be so secured to the brake shoes that normal wear will not weaken their
fastenings.

When springs are used to apply the brake shoes, such springs shall be in
compression and supported.

The brake shall not be released in normal operation unless the power supply is
simultaneously applied to the stairlift motor and the brake.

No earth fault or residual magnetism shall prevent the brake from being applied
when the power supply to the drive mo tor is interrupted.

6.2.4 Emergency Operation

One of the following means shall be provided for moving the carriage in an
emergency:

(a) a smooth spokeless wheel for manual operation, any cover of which is to
be removable without tools; or

(b) a standby power system for motorized operation. In this case, a safety
switch shall be provided to disable the normal controls when the standby
power system is engaged.

Where the resisting torque of the brake is too great to be overcome by emergency
hand winding, means shall be provided of releasing the brake to ensure that the
lowering is under control. Free fall conditions shall not be possible under any
circumstances. A toggle, or other device, which could be left in a locked position,
shall not be used to hold off the brake.

Instructions shall be provided stating the following:

(a) that emergency operation is to be undertaken only in accordance with the

correct procedure;

(b) the correct procedure in step by step detail;

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 6

(c) that the electrical supply is to be switched off and the carriage is to be
under constant surveillance whilst in emergency operation.

A direction label, with words ‘UP 上’ and ‘DOWN 落’ in English and Chinese
and the corresponding arrows, shall be fitted in a prominent position on the drive
unit. The height of letters and characters used on the label shall be not less than 10
mm.

6.2.5 Alignment

The gearing, brake and motor shall be mounted and assembled so that proper
alignment is maintained under all normal working conditions.

6.3 Suspension Rope, Drum Drive and Pulleys

6.3.1 Suspension Rope

All suspension ropes shall conform to BS 302 : Part 1 : 1987 and Part 2 : 1987 or
Part 4 : 1987 as appropriate, or other relevant international standards. The safety
factor of the ropes shall be not less than 12. The safety factor shall be the ratio
between the minimum breaking load of any rope and the continuous load imposed
in raising the fully loaded carriage. Test certificates for the ropes shall be provided.

The ends of the ropes shall be fixed to the carriage, counterweight or suspension
points by such methods as metal or resin- filled sockets, self- tightening wedge-
type sockets, heart thimbles with at least three rope grips or hand-spliced ferrule-
secured eyes. The strength of the rope anchorages shall be not less than 80% of
the strength of the ropes.

6.3.2 Winding Drum

Winding drums shall be of aluminium alloy, cast iron or steel. The grooves shall
be smoothly finished with rounded edges. Plain winding drums shall not be used.
The bottom of the rope groove shall be a circular arc over an angle of not less than
120o . Radius of the grooving shall be not less than 5% in nominal radius of the
suspension rope. The grooves shall be pitched so that there is clearance between
adjacent rope turns on the drum and also between any part of the rope leading
onto the drum and on the adjacent turn. Drum grooves shall have a depth not less
than one third of the nominal diameter of the rope.

The diameter of the drum shall be not less than 21 times the nominal rope
diameter. There shall be not less than 1.5 dead turns of rope on the drum when the
carriage is at its lowest point.

The drum flanges shall project by not less than 2 rope diameters beyond the outer
layer of rope when the drum is full.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 6

Winding drums shall be fixed to the driving unit shaft in accordance with Clause
6.2.2.

6.3.3 Pulleys and Diverter Pulleys

Pulleys shall be of cast iron or steel. The grooves shall be smoothly finished with
rounded edges. The bottom of the groove shall have the same profile as for drum
grooving but the depth of the groove shall be not less than 1.5 times the nominal
diameter of the rope. The angle of flare of the sides of pulley grooves shall be
approximately 52o .

The diameter of pulleys, measured at the bottom of the groove, shall be not less
than 21 times the nominal rope diameter.

6.3.4 Angle of Fleet

The maximum angle of fleet between the rope and a plane perpendicular to the
axis of the pulley, as illustrated in figure 2, shall not exceed 2o .

6.3.5 Protection and Guarding

A device incorporating a safety switch shall be provided to break the power

supply to the motor and brake control circuits if the rope breaks or slackens by a
predetermined amount.

Drums, and if necessary pulleys, shall be guarded to ensur e that the rope is
retained in the grooving under all circumstances and to ensure that trapping
between rope and drum or pulley cannot occur. Ropes shall also be guarded if
their alignment is a potential hazard.

6.4 Rack and Pinion Drive

This type of positive drive is particularly applicable to stairlifts that are to

negotiate curves and/or changes in inclination.

For full advantage to be taken of the safety potential of this type of drive,
particular care should be taken in the design of the gearing from the motor to the
driving pinion and, in particular, to the strength of the output shaft.

6.4.1 Driving Pinion

The driving pinion shall be machined from an alloy steel with a high impact
strength. It shall be designed to resist wear and shall have a safety factor of not
less than 6. The number of gear teeth on the pinion shall be sufficient to prevent
undercutting of the teeth.

The pinion shall be fixed to the output shaft in accordance with Clause 6.2.2.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 6

6.4.2 Racks

The racks shall be made from materials having properties matching those of the
pinion in wear and impact strength, and shall have a safety factor of not less than
6.

The racks shall be securely attached to the rails particularly at their ends, and
means shall be provided to maintain the rack and pinion constantly in accurate
mesh under all conditions of load. Any joints in the rack shall be accurately
aligned to avoid faulty meshing or damage to teeth.

6.4.3 Guarding

Guards shall be fitted to prevent trapping hazards between the rack and pinion,
and any other part (see Clauses 1.2, 6.3.5 & 6.5.3).

On curved rail stairlifts, a warning label, in English and Chinese in letters and
characters of height not less than 10 mm as shown below, shall be fitted to the
carriage adjacent to the hazard.

WARNING
MOVING PARTS

警告
移動部件

6.5 Chain and Chainwheel Drive

6.5.1 Chainwheels

All driving chainwheels shall be made from steel and have a minimum of 16
machine-cut teeth. Driving chainwheels shall be fixed to the drive shaft in
accordance with Clause 6.2.2. A minimum of eight teeth shall be in engagement
with the chain.

6.5.2 Chains

All chains shall conform to the requirements of BS 228 : 1994, or ISO 606, or
other relevant international standards. The safety factor of the chain(s) shall be not
less than 10. The safety factor shall be the ratio between the minimum breaking
load of any chain and the continuous load imposed in raising the fully loaded
carriage. The minimum breaking load of the chain shall be not less than 8 kN.
Test certificates for the chain(s) shall be provided.

Connecting links shall have a strength not less than that of the chain.

6.5.3 Protection and Guarding

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

Means shall be provided to prevent jamming due to misfeeding or slackening of

the chains and to prevent the chains from leaving the chainwheels or riding over
the teeth of the chainwheels.

A device incorporating a safety switch shall be provided to break the power

supply to the motor and brake control circuits if the chain breaks or slackens by a
predetermined amount.

Guards shall be fitted to prevent trapping hazards between chainwheel and chain
or chain and any other part of the drive mechanism.

Reference can be made to examples of guards given in BS 5304, or other relevant

international standards.

6.6 Screw and Nut Drive

6.6.1 Screw

The screw shall be machined from steel. It shall be designed to resist wear and
shall have a safety factor of not less than 6.

6.6.2 Nut

The nut shall be made from a material compatible with the screw with respect to
wear and impact strength, and shall have a safety factor of not less than 6.

6.6.3 Screw/Nut Assembly

The drive to the rotating component shall be directly controlled by a brake. The
rotating component shall be restrained against axial or radial movement by means
of anti- friction bearings.

6.6.4 Guarding

Means shall be provided to guard all moving parts and to prevent the fouling of
the screw threads with dirt or other foreign matter.

7. Carriage

Various forms of carriage can be used for conveying the intended passenger
depending upon the individual needs. The broad classifications are as follows:

(a) chair carriage (Clause 7.3);

(b) standing platform (Clause 7.4);
(c) wheelchair platform (Clause 7.5).

7.1 General Provisions

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

7.1.1 Construction

The carriage shall be of metal construction and consist of a mobile chassis, which
is retained, supported and guided by one or more rails, upon which a chair,
platform or other purpose-made adaptation to carry the passenger is supported and
securely attached.

The construction of the entire carriage shall be designed to form a robust and safe
conveyance at its safe working load. It shall have a safety factor of not less than 5
based on the rated load.

Any part or edge of the carriage that is intended to be used as a supporting hand
hold shall have clearance from any part of the fixed installation to prevent hands
from being trapped during the travel of the carriage.

The strength of attachments for suspension ropes or chains to the carriage shall be
greater than 80% of the strength of the rope or the chain.

7.1.2 Load Plate

A load plate shall be securely mounted in a prominent and visible position, either
on the carriage or at each landing adjacent to the stairlift. The plate shall carry a
legend in English and Chinese and similar in content and layout to that shown
below:

WARNING
THE SAFE WORKING LOAD IS ONE PERSON ONLY AT
A MAXIMUM TOTAL WEIGHT OF ___________

警告
安全操作負載只限一人
最高總載重為___________

The maximum weight displayed on the load plate shall be the rated load.

The height of letters and characters used on the load plate shall be not less than 10
mm.

7.1.3 Nameplate

A nameplate or plates conforming to BS 3456 : Part 101 : 1987, or IEC 335 : Part
1, or other relevant international standards which includes the manufacturer’s
name, the brand/model and serial number of the machine shall be securely
attached in a prominent position on the carriage.

7.2 Safety

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

7.2.1 Safety Gear

With the exception of screw and nut driven stairlifts the stairlift carriage shall be
fitted with a safety gear, operating in the downward direction only, capable of
preventing uncontrolled descent of the carriage in the event of failure of the drive
unit.

Release of the safety gear shall be possible only by raising the carriage up the rail.

The safety gear shall be designed to grip the rail securely and the gripping method
shall be progressive such as that provided by a cam profile or a wedge mechanism.

The application of the safety gear shall not cause the carriage to change
inclination by more than 10o .

The power supply to the motor and brake control circuits shall be disconnected by
a safety switch on the safety gear before, or at the time, the safety gear is actuated.

When the safety gear is applied, no decrease in the tension of any rope or chain or
other mechanism used for applying the safety gear, or motion of the carriage in
the downward direction, shall release the safety gear.

Any shaft, jaw, wedge or support that forms part of the safety gear and which is
stressed during its operation shall be made of steel or other ductile material.

7.2.2 Overspeed Governor

In the event of an overspeed condition, the safety gear shall be actuated by an

overspeed governor when the descending carriage attains a speed of at least 115%
of rated speed, but not more than 0.3 m/s.

If the overspeed governor derives its drive from a main suspension chain or rope,
the safety gear shall also be operated by a mechanism actuated by breaking, or
slackening of, the main suspension chain or rope.

7.2.3 Rotation Monitor

If the overspeed governor is friction driven as opposed to positively driven from a

rack or chain, the control system shall include circuitry to monitor rotation of the
overspeed governor drive during travel. If rotation ceases, the power supply to the
driving motor and brake shall be interrupted within 10 s. Correct functioning of
the reset shall be checked at least once during normal travel. Passenger
instructions shall give prominent advice that intermittent operation may indicate a
malfunction of the overspeed governor and that specialist attention is required
before further use.

The rotation monitor may be reset by releasing the directional control button.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

7.2.4 Back-up Nut

Screw and nut drives shall conform to Clause 6.6 and shall be provided with a
back-up nut fitted with an electrical safety contact. The degree of safety provided
by a back-up nut in a screw and nut drive shall be not less than that specified in
Clause 6.6.2.

7.3 Chair Carriage

7.3.1 The chair on the carriage shall consist of a seat, backrest, armrest(s) or hand grip(s)
and a footrest (or foot-supporting platform), arranged to provide a safe support for
the passenger. The top of the backrest shall be not less than 300 mm above the
surface of the seat.

If it is necessary to conserve space, the seat, armrest(s) (or hand grip(s)) and
footrest or foot-supporting platform, as appropriate, shall be arranged to fold up
when not in use.

If it is necessary to provide easier or safer access, the chair shall be capable of

movement, e.g. rotation.

Whichever of these arrangements is adopted, the design shall be such as to prevent

injury whilst these movements are carried out.

When the chair is stationary at its normal position at the lower and upper landings
(and any intermediate landing), the height of the surface of the footrest (or foot-
supporting platform) above the floor shall not exceed 200 mm.

A safety belt or other safety restraint shall be fitted to the chair to restrain the
passenger during travel.

7.3.2 Stairlifts with sliding or rotating seats shall have a safety contact to prevent
operation of the chair unless it is in its fully operational position.

A mechanical lock, capable of easy release, shall be provided to secure sliding or

rotating seats at the extremes of their travel.

7.3.3 Sensitive edges or sensitive surfaces shall be fitted in areas where there are
potential shearing, crushing, trapping or abrading hazards. Their activation shall
disconnect the power supply to the motor in the direction of travel and, except in
the specific case of protection against trapping between two carriage mounted
components where the hazard arises and the operation of the sensitive edge or
surface is effective in both directions of travel, shall allow operation of the
carriage in the opposite direction to clear the obstacle (see Clause 9.5.9). The
carriage shall come to rest within 25 mm of the point of first contact with the
obstacle. The follow-through of the sensitive edge or surface shall be sufficient to
prevent injury of the passenger.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

The following are examples of potentially dangerous places that require such
protection:

(a) any open space about, or within, the rails where parts of the carriage may
pass;

(b) any fixed abutments, e.g. at the rail terminations;

(c) all edges and the underside of the footrest (or foot-supporting platform);

(d) any other part of the carriage that passes over the edges of stairs, rail fixing
brackets, etc.

Wherever practicable, any other part of the carriage that may come into forcible
contact with the passenger, or other persons, shall be padded or protected.

7.3.4 The average force required to operate the sensitive edges shall not exceed 30 N
when measured at each end and the mid-point of the sensitive edges.

The average force required to operate the sensitive surfaces shall not exceed the
following:

(a) 35 N for surfaces with an area equal to or less than 0.15 m2 ;

(b) 50 N for surfaces with an area greater than 0.15 m2 .

The force shall be measured at two diagonally opposite corners and at the centre
point of a sensitive surface.

7.4 Standing Platform

7.4.1 The standing platform shall be at least 325 mm in depth and 350 mm in length.
The platform shall be provided with hand grips and supports for the passenger
when travelling or when stepping on or off the platform.

The surface of the platform shall be covered with slip-resistant material.

If it is necessary to conserve space, the platform, frame and hand grips, as

appropriate, shall be arranged to fold away when not in use.

When the platform is stationary at its normal position at any landing, the height of
the platform surface above the floor shall not exceed 200 mm.

7.4.2 Standing platforms shall have safety features which conform to Clause 7.3.3.

7.5 Wheelchair Platform

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 7

7.5.1 The surface of the wheelchair platform shall be covered with slip-resistant
material.

Means shall be provided to ensure that the wheelchair is correctly positioned and
restrained within the area of the wheelchair platform during travel.

If the wheelchair platform is designed for public use (see Clause 5.2), the platform
dimensions shall be at least 760 mm in depth and 1,220 mm in length.

The inside net platform area shall not exceed 1.11 m2 .

The side of the wheelchair platform adjacent to the wall shall be solid, and shall
extend to a minimum height of 1,100 mm above the platform surface.

The solid- faced side may be fitted with controls and hand grips or hand rails for
stability of the passenger.

7.5.2 Where ramps are fitted to platform access edges a safety switch shall be
incorporated to ensure that the ramps are in the raised position before movement
of the platform can be initiated. The design of these devices shall ensure that at the
upper level of travel only the ramps, on the edge or edges nearest to the landing at
which the platform is stationary, can be lowered.

When the wheelchair platform is stationary at its bottom landing, either a shallow
pit shall be provided to avoid any step, or ramps shall be used.

When the wheelchair platform is stationary at the upper landing, bridging flaps
shall be provided to bridge any gap between the platform and landing that would
prevent free movement of the wheelchair.

The ramps and/or flaps shall be radiused, and shall not exceed a thickness of 15
mm. The ramp shall have an inclination not greater than the following:

(a) 1:4 on a vertical rise of up to 50 mm;

(b) 1:6 on a vertical rise of up to 75 mm;
(c) 1:8 on a vertical rise of up to 100 mm;
(d) 1:12 on a vertical rise of over 100 mm.

7.5.3 Wheelchair platforms shall have safety features which conform to Clause 7.3.3.

7.6 Special Adaptations

Special adaptations or combinations of chair lifts, standing platforms, or

wheelchair platforms shall conform to Clauses 7.3 to 7.5 as applicable.

8 Lighting and Emergency Lighting

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 8

8.1 The stairlift and control panel at each landing (upper, intermediate and lower)
shall be provided with electrical lighting that is permanently illuminated ensuring
a light intensity of at least 50 lux on all control switches and on the surface of the
platform (the footrest in case of chair carriage stairlift (see Clause 7.3)).

8.2 The stairlift and control panel at each landing (upper, intermediate and lower)
shall also be provided with emergency lighting of at least a 1W lamp fed by an
automatically rechargeable emergency supply which is capable of feeding it alone
for at least 2 hours in case of an interruption of the normal lighting supply. This
emergency lighting shall come on automatically upon failure of the normal
lighting supply. The charger shall be capable of fully re-charging the batteries in
not more than 12 hours.

9. Electrical Equipment

9.1 General Provisions

The electrical specification and construction of the stairlift shall conform to BS

3456 : Part 101 : 1987, or IEC 335 : Part 1 and BS 3456 : Part 201 : 1990, or IEC
335 : Part 1 : 1983 as applicable, or other relevant international standards.

9.2 Suppression of Radio and Television Interference

The design of the electric motor, contact devices and control devices shall
conform to BS EN 55014 : 1993, or other relevant international standards.
Suppression components shall not be used in any part of the circuit where their
failure might cause an unsafe condition.

9.3 Control System Design Concept

9.3.1 All control circuits shall be designed to fail safe.

Although wired control circuits throughout would produce an installation having a

very high degree of safety it may be necessary to resort to the use of remote
control devices, specially adapted switches and sensors.

A lockable on/off switch shall be used to restrict the use of the stairlift to the
intended passenger and prevent the possibility of accidents caused by children
playing with the stairlift.

9.3.2 Switches fitted to the carriage and elsewhere to control the movement of the
stairlift shall be operated by constant pressure e.g. push buttons or spring-biased
toggle devices that positively return to the off position when released.

All up and down control switches shall be electrically interlocked. Release of the
constant pressure switch shall cause immediate removal of the power supply to the
brake and driving motor.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 9

A carriage holding switch shall be used to prevent the carriage being called by
another person whilst the passenger is getting on or off.

A bi-stable isolating safety switch shall be fitted on the carriage which, when
operated, directly activates the safety circuit. This switch is also intended as a
carriage holding switch.

Carriage stopping devices (and landing stopping devices where fitted) shall be
clearly visible and accessible to the passenger, easy to operate and protected by
position or design against inadvertent operation.

The stopping device shall be of the “push-to-stop, pull-to-run” type. There shall be
the words ‘STOP 停止’ in English and Chinese on or near the stopping device so
placed that there can be no risk of error as to the stop position.

The stairlift shall have a safety switch to prevent its operation unless it is in fully
folded or unfolded position.

9.3.3 Control limit switches operated by the movement of the carriage shall be provided
to stop it automatically at the normal floors/storeys served.

If springs are used to actuate switches, contactors or relays to break the circuit to
stop the stairlift at the terminal landing, they shall be of the restrained
compression type.

9.4 Emergency Alarm Devices

9.4.1 Call bell/emergency alarm push button together with a buzzer (or an alarm bell)
shall be provided at each landing (upper, intermediate and lower) and be
connected to the building management office or the caretaker’s office. The push
button shall be located at height not less than 900 mm and not more than 1,200
mm above finished floor level and in such a way that the passenger can operate it
easily and safely.

For stairlift which is designed for self-operation (see Clause 11), an call
bell/emergency alarm push button together with a buzzer (or an alarm bell) shall
also be provided on the carriage and connected to the building management office
or the caretaker’s office. The push button shall be located at height and in such a
way as mentioned above.

The building management office or the caretaker’s office shall be equipped with
buzzer (or alarm bell) and indication light(s) (one for each stairlift) connected to
the landings and, if self-operated stairlift, the carriage(s).

9.4.2 The buzzer (or alarm bell) shall ring and the indication light shall be lit if the call
bell/emergency alarm push button is pressed. The indication light shall remain on
until it is manually reset by activation of a reset switch inside the building

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 9

management office or the caretaker’s office.

9.4.3 All the devices under this Clause 9.4 shall be backed up by the emergency supply
called for in Clause 8.2 or by an equivalent supply.

9.4.4 Appropriate notices or labels (in English and Chinese) shall be displayed next to
all the devices provided under this Clause 9.4, indicating the function and/or
operation of them.

9.4.5 The sound generated by the buzzer (or alarm bell) shall be distinguishable from
that of fire alarm.

9.4.6 If there is no building management office or caretaker’s office in the building, the
buzzer (or alarm bell), ind ication light(s) and reset switch shall be placed
immediately outside the main entrance of the building at the street.

9.5 Safety of Electrical Circuits

9.5.1 The motor circuit shall be protected by a cut-out that operates within 10 s of the
motor stalling.

9.5.2 The control circuit voltage shall not exceed 55 V. Control circuits directly derived
from a mains supply shall be fed from the secondary winding of an isolating
transformer conforming to BS 3535 : Part 1 : 1990 and Part 2 : 1990, or EN 60742,
or other relevant international standards.

One pole of the control circuit voltage supply shall be earthed and the other pole
shall be fused as illustrated in figure 3a for an a.c. supply, or figures 3b, 3c and 3d,
for a d.c. supply.

Earthing and fusing requirements for battery powered stairlifts are in figures 4a
and 4b.

9.5.3 Contactors, relays or electronic devices for reversing direction of travel shall be
electrically interlocked.

9.5.4 All contacts on any contactor used for direct control of the supply to the main
driving motor shall be linked so that all contacts on a contactor open or close
together such that in the event of one contact becoming welded, all contacts are
retained in the same position and no contact occurs in the opposite sense.

9.5.5 The main motor and brake control circuit shall have at least two independently
operated contacts or one contact and one electronic device in series. The circuit
shall be designed such that the failure of one contact or device prevents operation
of the stairlift not later than the next change of direction.

9.5.6 The control system shall not depend upon the closing or maintenance of an
electrical control circuit for the isolation of the power supply to stop the drive

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 9

motor and apply the brake.

9.5.7 Provision shall be made for a delay of 3 s minimum between the stopping of the
stairlift and its being restarted in either direction. In addition there shall be a
minimum 0.5 s delay between activation of any directional control device and the
movement of the stairlift.

9.5.8 Control circuits shall be so arranged that an earth fault or open circuit, or the
discharge or failure of a capacitor, does not give rise to an unsafe condition.

9.5.9 Operation of a sensitive edge or surface by an obstruction shall cause the supply to
the motor to be interrupted and prevent it from producing any movement of the
carriage towards the obstruction. It shall be possible, after the delay specified in
Clause 9.5.7, to drive the carriage away from the obstruction (see Clause 7.3.3).

Operation of slack rope or chain safety switches (see Clauses 6.2.2, 6.3.5, 6.5.3),
safety gear safety switches (see Clause 7.2.1), or final limit safety switches (see
Clause 9.6) shall cause the power supply to the motor and brake to be interrupted
preventing any further movement of the carriage (in either direction) and
necessitating the resetting of the safety device and reinstating of the supply to the
controller. It shall not be possible to restart the machine until the carriage has been
correctly repositioned manually and the final limit safety switch reset.

9.5.10 The creepage and clearance distance between all safety circuits/switches and
adjacent circuits shall conform to the table contained within clause 210 of BS
3456 : Part 201 : 1990, or IEC 335 : Part 1 : 1983, or other relevant international
standards.

9.6 Final Limit Safety Switches

To isolate the motor, the brake and controller from the power supply in the event
of overtravel of the carriage beyond its normal stopping position, a final limit
safety switch shall be provided at each end of the travel except that the lower final
limit safety switch need not be fitted in the case of those drives where a slack rope
or chain switch comes into operation and stops the carriage within 40 mm of the
normal limit stop.

The design of these switches shall withstand possible abuse from adverse
domestic cleaning activities.

9.7 Construction

9.7.1 Controllers shall be enclosed so as to prevent inadvertent contact with live

terminals. Covers shall be retained by captive devices requiring the use of tools
for their removal (see also Clause 9.7.2).

9.7.2 Enclosures containing live parts, including any access cover forming part of that
enclosure, shall withstand a force of 300 N, being evenly distributed over an area

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 9

of 2,500 mm2 in round or square section, applied at any point perpendicular to the
surface.

9.7.3 Materials used in the construction of the control circuit shall not support
combustion.

9.7.4 All terminals throughout the system shall be ma rked and conductors shall be
terminated by soldering, clamping or crimping in such a way that the conductors
and the insulation are not damaged.

9.7.5 The insulation of the controller wiring shall be of flame-retardant type.

9.7.6 All earth continuity conductors shall be copper except when slip rings or tracks
and carbon brushes are used. At least one slip ring or track and carbon brush and
trailing cable way shall be dedicated to the earth path (see Clause 9.8).

9.7.7 Wiring and components at a potential exceeding 24 V shall not be accessible to

touch without first obtaining access by use of a tool.

9.7.8 Any nut or screw used for clamping a conductor shall not be used for clamping
any other component.

9.7.9 Mains input terminals shall be conveniently accessible within the equipment and
shall be marked to indicate their polarity, i.e. L for live and N for neutral. The
main earth terminal shall be located conveniently near the main input and
identified by E.

9.7.10 Earthing terminals shall maintain electrical continuity, shall be of the stud type
and shall be not smaller than M5. They shall not be used for securing any
component nor shall it be possible to loosen the connection without the use of a
tool. All earth conductors shall be terminated with crimped or soldered
terminations.

9.7.11 All exposed metal work which could possibly become electrically charged shall
be earth bonded.

9.8 Residual Current Devices

A trailing cable carrying a voltage greater than 55 V above earth shall be protected
by the use of a residual current device (RCD) conforming to either BS 4293 :
1983 or BS 7071 : 1992 or BS 7288 : 1990, as appropriate, or other relevant
international standards. The maximum rated tripping current shall be 30 mA. The
maximum trip time at rated tripping current shall be 200 ms. The maximum trip
time at 5 times the rated tripping current shall be 40 ms. Where fitted, this RCD
shall protect all parts of the installation that are at 240V. The testing of this RCD
shall not cause any spurious tripping of any other RCD fitted to the mains supply
circuit.

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 10

9.9 Trailing Cables

Trailing cables need not be used in the case of battery powered operation (see
Clause 10)

The trailing electrical power and control cables shall be securely clamped at each
end to prevent them from pulling from their terminations. Provision shall be made
to protect each cable from abrasion.

Flat cables shall conform to BS EN 50214 : 1998, or other relevant international

standards. Round cables shall conform to table 16 of BS 6500 : 1994 for 300/500
requirements, or IEC 245, or other relevant international standards.

Cables with 6 and 7 cores shall have sheath and insulation thicknesses conforming
to table 16 of BS 6500 : 1994, or IEC 245, or other relevant international
standards.

Round cables shall be formed around a central core which shall not be used as a
conductor, either current carrying or earth. All conductors shall be of equal cross-
sectional area.

The nominal cross-sectional area of all conductors in a trailing cable shall be not
less than 0.75 mm2 .

Where a trailing cable, winding drum or linear bus bar device incorporating slip
rings or tracks and carbon brushes is used, the current carrying capacity of the
carbon brushes and slip rings or tracks shall be not less than that of the current
carrying conductor to the carriage.

10. Battery Powered Operation

10.1 Battery powered stairlift designed for public use shall be of the type that can be
automatically rechargeable.

10.2 Batteries shall not leak when tilted and battery enclosures shall be ventilated. The
battery charger shall not damage or overcharge the battery, even after long periods
on charge.

The design of the battery shall be such that it does not emit a dangerous level of
fumes during normal operation or during charging.

10.3 A fuse shall be fitted in line with the battery supply which shall only be accessible
by the use of an appropriate tool(s). This fuse shall isolate the battery supply with
0.5 s of the supply being short circuited and within 5 s of twice average peak
current being drawn.

10.4 The charging arrangement for the batteries shall typically be as shown in figure 4a
for a.c. charging and figure 4b for d.c. charging. The maximum voltage potential

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 11

when measured with respect to earth shall be 55 V for protected charge contacts
and 24 V for exposed charge contacts.

Charge contacts are deemed to be exposed when they are accessible without the
use of tools, and protected where it is not possible to touch the contacts without
the use of tools.

Battery charging should be carried out at points where the stairlift is expected to
be stationary between journeys. Usually this is at each end of the rail.

10.5 Battery terminals shall be physically protected against short circuiting.

10.6 Batteries shall be securely fitted in the carriage structure.

10.7 Any voltage potential within the carriage shall not exceed 55 V.

10.8 Batteries shall have a life of at least three years in normal use.

10.9 The battery supply shall be capable of being isolated by use of a switch or plug
fitted to the carriage which shall be accessible and operable without the use of a
tool.

10.10 The charging rate of the battery shall be such that the charging energy supplied
over a period of 24 hours on continuous charge is at least equa l to the energy
drawn from the battery by 15 upward and 15 downward journeys of the stairlift.

10.11 The battery capacity shall be such that, when it is fully charged, the stairlift shall
be capable of completing at least 10 upward and 10 downward journeys under full
load without charging.

10.12 If the stairlift is brought to rest out of the reach of the charge contacts, this shall be
indicated to the passenger.

10.13 The carriage chassis shall be grounded as shown in figure 4.

11. Self-operation

11.1 The operation of the stairlift from each landing (upper, intermediate and lower)
and from the carriage shall be controlled by a common key.

A key-operated switch shall be provided at each landing and on the carriage which
will allow the control switches to become effective only when the key is in the
“on” position. The key shall be removable only from the “off” position.

11.2 The stairlift shall be in folded state when it is being called or sent from one
landing to another.

The safety features which conform to Clause 7.3.3 shall remain valid when the

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 12

stairlift is being called or sent in folded state.

11.3 Folding and unfolding of the stairlift shall be power-operated and controlled by
switches (see Clause 11.4).

When the stairlift is unfolded, there shall be a clear width of at least 500 mm on
the stairway along the whole journey to allow passage of other users. This width is
measured from the side edge of the stairlift to the finished surface of the wall or
the projection of the outer edge of handrail or any protruding objects, whichever is
the minimum.

11.4 Stopping device and control switches for calling, sending, folding and unfolding
the stairlift shall be provided at each landing (upper, intermediate and lower) and
conform to Clause 9.3.2. They shall be located at height and in such a way as
mentioned in Clause 9.4.1.

11.5 Stopping device and control switches for upward and downward movement of the
stairlift shall be provided on the carriage and conform to Clause 9.3.2. They shall
be located at height and in such a way as mentioned in Clause 9.4.1.

In the case of chair carriage stairlift, the above stopping device and control
switches shall be located on the armrest(s) for easy and safe operation.

11.6 Appropriate notices or labels (in English and Chinese) shall be displayed next to
all the devices mentioned under this Clause 11, indicating the function and/or
operation of them.

11.7 The whole journey of the stairlift shall be observable by the passenger at either
landing (upper, intermediate and lower) where control switches for calling and
sending the stairlift are installed.

12. Attendant -operated Stairlift

12.1 If the journey of the stairlift cannot be observable at the landing (upper,
intermediate or lower), no control switch for calling and sending the stairlift shall
be provided.

12.2 A detachable control box, for use upon the carriage only, with flexible cord not
more than 1,500 mm in length shall be provided for the attendant to operate the
stairlift by means of a continuous-pressure switch. A stopping device which
conforms to Clause 9.3.2 shall also be provided in the control box.

12.3 No controls, other than a stopping device (Clause 9.3.2), shall be provided on the
carriage.

13. User Guide and Operation Manual

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 Section E Part 5 : Clause 13

13.1 User guide in both English and Chinese shall be affixed to the stairlift.

13.2 Operation manual laminated with plastic protective sheets shall be kept in the
management office or the caretaker’s office. If there is no management office or
caretaker’s office in the building, operation manual shall be affixed to the stairlift.

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 Section E Part 5

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 Section E Part 5

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 Section E Part 5

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